A corn is a small part of the skin that thickens when the skin experiences regular and excessive pressure. Corns are usually round and very painful, and soft to touch when exposed to moisture. Calluses are larger than corns and are usually formed in the soles, since this part of the foot is under the pressure of body weight when you walk.
There are many causes of corns and callouses. Walking and running in badly-fitting shoes is one of the most common causes, as well as standing for a really long time wearing high heels or tight shoes, walking without shoes, wearing shoes without socks, or manual labour that puts pressure on the feet.
If you can’t seem to get rid of your corns or calluses and they’re cramping your style, we’ll be covering the best home remedies to treat them in this video. Let’s get straight into it.
1. Castor Oil
Castor oil softens the corns, and eventually, they’ll disappear. You’ll see the results of using castor oil within a week. Apply the oil on the corn three times a day. Repeat the process every day until the corn completely disappears. Be sure not to apply castor oil if the skin is broken.
2. Pumice Stone
Corn skin is dead skin, so it’s best to try and remove the corn by rubbing the affected areas on your hand or foot with a pumice stone. Soak your hands or feet that have calluses or corn in warm water for about 5 to 7 minutes, then gently rub the areas with the pumice stone for about 2 to 3 minutes. Do this every day so that the affected areas heal faster.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar softens corns and calluses as it exfoliates dead skin cells. It’s also anti-bacterial in nature; and using it on your feet will kill any bacteria that are lurking around the affected areas. This makes apple cider vinegar one of the best natural remedies for corns. Soak your feet in a warm water bath for a few minutes, then apply apple cider vinegar on the corn using some cotton balls. For about 5 minutes, keep the cotton balls firmly pressed against the affected area, until the vinegar dries. Next, apply tea tree oil to the corn without washing your feet. Do this every day until the corn comes off in about 2 to 3 days.
4. Garlic
Garlic isn’t just for cooking – it’s also a home remedy for many conditions, including corn removal at home. This remedy is best used at nights. Take a garlic clove and cut it in half, then rub one half of the clove on the corn for a minute. Place the other half of the garlic on the corn and cover it using a crepe bandage. The next morning, wash the area. Do this every night for a very few days – if you can bear the garlic stench!
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an amazing skin moisturiser. It should be easy to remove your corn with a pumice stone once the skin turns soft and supple. Apply oil on the affected area, making sure you massage it properly on the skin. Re-apply this three times a day until the corn is ready to be removed.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric has healing and antimicrobial properties. When it’s mixed with the soothing properties of honey, it works to heal your corn. Mix together 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and 1.5 tablespoons of honey to create a thick paste. Apply the mix to your corn and let it air dry, then rinse clean with warm water. Do this twice a day. The corn or callus should reduce in size within two to three days.
7. Lemon
Lemon’s acidic quality makes it an amazing home remedy for getting rid of corns. It helps to alleviate discomfort, and you should notice the corn reducing in a few days. Just apply some lemon on the corn and secure the slice with a bandage. Leave the bandage on overnight. Continue using this remedy until you see no trace of the corn.
8. Onion
It’s another smelly remedy, but onion contains a number of antioxidants that will enhance the healing process of the corns and calluses. It’s also good at reducing scars on the skin. Chop an onion and place a single slice of onion on the affected area. Secure it with the help of gauze, then leave it on overnight and discard it the next morning. When you do this every day, you should notice changes within a week.
9. Oatmeal Soak
Oatmeal is effective at soothing the skin because of its excellent exfoliating properties. Simply boil the oatmeal in plain water for about 5 minutes, like you’re making breakfast. Then strain the water and apply the cooled oatmeal on the corn. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing the oatmeal off. Repeat the process twice a day. Always make sure that the oatmeal is cooled before application, or you might end up scalding your skin.
